Who was Potti Sriramulu? Describe his fast unto death and its immediate and long-term consequences for India.

Question

Accepted Answer

POTTI SRIRAMULU (1901–1952): A Gandhian freedom fighter and social reformer from Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. He participated in the Salt Satyagraha (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942). He was deeply influenced by Gandhi and devoted his life to social service, especially for Dalits and the poor. THE FAST: Sriramulu began his fast unto death on October 19, 1952, at the house of Bulusu Sambamurthy in Madras. His DEMAND: A separate state for Telugu-speaking people — to be carved out of the Madras Presidency. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was initially opposed, fearing that creating states on linguistic lines would encourage separatism (India had just been partitioned on religious lines in 1947). DEATH: After 58 DAYS of fasting, Potti Sriramulu died on December 15, 1952. He is revered as a martyr. IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES: His death triggered WIDESPREAD RIOTS and protests across Telugu-speaking districts. Train services were disrupted. Government buildings were attacked. Just FOUR DAYS later, on December 19, 1952, Nehru announced the formation of a separate Andhra State. ANDHRA STATE formed October 1, 1953 — the FIRST LINGUISTIC STATE in India. Capital: Kurnool. LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES: Sriramulu's sacrifice created a DOMINO EFFECT. The government appointed the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC). The resulting States Reorganisation Act (1956) reorganised ALL Indian states along linguistic lines. EVERY linguistic state in India — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Gujarat, and others — owes its existence, in part, to Potti Sriramulu's sacrifice. He is rightly called the 'Father of Linguistic States in India.'

Practice — Andhra Pradesh — History from Satavahanas to Formation

Sign in to save attempts to your dashboard and track your accuracy over time

Find a verified tutor

Join a live course

Browse coaching centres

About

Categories

Support

Documentation

Get Study Tips & Updates

Download Our App

Download for iOS

Download for Android

Popular Cities